Chapter 2: Enter professor Xavier
Disclaimer: I do not own the x-men or any marvel related characters within this story nor do I profit from their solicitation.
Before I begin my next chapter I would like to thank anyone who has viewed my story. And as I would love reviews I cant say the views are not appreciated. I would like to thank everyone who has read my story. please review and add to your favorites. I would like to send a special thanks to my amazing beta reader Tigress2929 for doing an awesome job. Now on with the next chapter, enjoy.
Seven a.m. rolled around the very next morning, and David had only been able to sleep a total of twenty minutes, before having snapped back awake. He had been lying awake all night, mulling over the thought of what would happen to him, or god forbid, his family, seeing as how the whole town would soon know that he was a mutant. He played and replayed different scenarios within his head. How would the town react? Would they try to hurt him? Perhaps his family? How would he protect them from any action that they would take? Or would they accept him? He had often worked for many of the farmers in the rural town, and most seemed to like him. David was only able to hope that the overall blow back that he undoubtedly would receive wouldn't be too terribly devastating. Speaking of devastating, how would his own family react? Would this night of him sleeping on the scratchy worn living room sofa, become his last?
David's family had always been very accepting of him, yet he had heard many stories of other families abandoning their own children or even siblings, as soon as their secret was revealed. Many of those families had to have been pretty accepting of those kids too, right? His family couldn't be the only happy family to have something like this happen to them?
David had seriously considered the idea of not telling them at all, but who was he kidding? His powers came out in an after-school party, in a small farming town where secrets were not easily kept. Even if he had managed to keep it a secret for a day or two, his family would eventually find out. Wouldn't it be better for them to hear it straight from him? How would he go about doing it? He had never been one for planned speeches.
David glanced at the clock on the wall that read 7:15 a.m., when his mother walked into the room, carrying a cup of coffee.
"Morning Mom." David said, in a gruff, sleep deprived, voice.
"David, Oh god you scared me!" Said a startled Kathleen, who had nearly spilled her coffee. "What are you doing on the couch?" She asked with a raised brow, and an inquiring gaze.
"Long story, I'll explain over breakfast. I have a guest in my room, so I should probably go wake her." David commented, before getting up off the sofa, and folding the throw blanket that he used to cover himself.
"Her! Who is she? I wish you would have told me that we would be having company. I have to get changed, and make breakfast. I'm not even remotely prepared for a guest!" Kathleen said in a mild panic.
"Mom stop freaking out, it's really not a big deal. I am going to go wake her; you get dressed and wake the others." David said in his most calming voice. "Oh, and mom don't overdo it. You tend to overreact."
"Oh shut up, and go wake up your friend." Kathleen joked, with a slight wave of her hand to try and hurry him out of the room.
David promptly reached the top of the stairs, and headed towards his bedroom at the end of the hall. He stopped before the closed door, and was about to knock, when he came up with an exceptional idea. Instead he slowly and stealthily proceeded to open the door, before tip toeing into the room, as to try and not wake Jubilee. Having entered the bedroom, he was nearly in awe, at the sight of the cute teen curled up in his bed. He couldn't help the smile that spread across his face.
David slowly approached the bed, and pulled back the comforter inch by inch. Having softly lowered himself into the bed behind Jubilee, he reached his arm around her in an embracive manner. This gesture prompted a reaction from her, in which she grabbed his arm, and pulled it more tightly around herself, completely unaware of what she was doing.
"Good morning beautiful." David said, before the most blood curdling scream, the kind you only hear in slasher movies, erupted from the small girl in his bed.
"What the hell is wrong with you!?" Jubilee said, now fully awake and clear across the room staring daggers at a laughing David.
"Well for starters a shattered eardrum." said David, with a smirk playing across his face.
"Good! That's what you get for scaring the hell out of me." She growled through clenched teeth.
"I'm sorry, I thought that it would be funny, but apparently you didn't see it the same way." He replied, bowing his head as if he were ashamed of himself.
"You thought that having me wake up in a strange bed, with a strange man, would be funny? Do you have any idea what went on in my sleep fogged brain!?" She asked in a demanding tone, while crossing her arms over her chest in an angry manner.
"Look, I said that I am sorry. I really didn't mean to freak you out. I guess that I just didn't think about it from your perspective." David then got up from the bed, and that's when Jubilee noticed his toned muscular chest, lightly sprinkled with a fine layer of brown chest hair, which then lead down to a ripped set of abs.
"Are you ok?" David asked, snapping her out of the trance that she was in.
"Yeah, I'll be fine. Do you have any coffee?" Jubilee asked hopefully, while darting her gaze about the room, back to his face, and then quickly away before lowly clearing her throat in slight embarrassment.
"Sure follow me, breakfast will be ready soon." David answered before leading the way out of the room. They both made their way down the stairs, and to the kitchen. David pulled out a chair for Jubilee, who thanked him before proceeding to have sat down, and who was admittedly shocked by his chivalry. David pulled out a mug from the cabinet before asking her a question. "How do you take it?"
"Eight sugars." Came the answer.
"Eight?" He questioned back, glancing at her over his shoulder, and raising his right eyebrow as a sign of his curiosity.
"Not much of a morning person." She replied through a yawn. Her adrenaline rush from a few minutes ago had now worn offleaving her feeling drowsy once again.
Kathleen had then entered the kitchen, who was followed by Rachel, David's youngest sister at an age of eight years, and Rebecca who was the middle child at twelve. Soon after introductions were made, they exchanged pleasantries while breakfast was prepared, and then placed before them.
"It really was not necessary for you to go through all this trouble mam." Jubilee said politely, while eyeing the bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, blueberry pancakes, biscuits, gravy, and fresh fruit lying before her.
"Nonsense, it really was no trouble at all. And please, call me Kathleen." She remarked with a gracious smile.
"Mom tends to overdo things when we have company." Rebecca said to Jubilee, with a slight roll of her eyes.
"You're really pretty." Rachel suddenly said, changing the subject. "How do you know my brother?"
"Yes I was wondering that myself." Chimed in a curious Kathleen.
"Well not to be rude, but I think that the story would best be told to you by your son." Causing for all the eyes at the table to simultaneously be drawn to David.
"Before I get into the story, I have something that I need to tell you, and I only hope that you are able to accept what it is that I have to say." David replied, while lightly fingering his silverware, before glancing up at his family and taking a deep breath in preparation.
"Of course we will be able to accept it. We love you David. What can be that bad?" Kathleen began, before a look of fear took over her face.
"Wait you're not pregnant are you?" Kathleen asked, turning her attention back to Jubilee who choked on the piece of bacon that she had just put into her mouth.
"No! That's not it at all. Oh god David, can you just tell them please?" Pleaded, a now very embarrassed Jubilee.
"Alright, brace yourselves everybody. I am a mutant." David said nervously. ("Alright, brace yourselves everybody." He hesitated slightly, and quickly glanced at Jubilee, who was now biting her lip, as she waited for him to continue. Pursing his own lips, and closing his eyes for a brief moment, he told himself that he could do this. Fingers splayed on the table top, jaw clenched, and breathing a sigh through his nose, he proceeded utter a single sentence. A sentence that had kept him awake through the long hours of the night. "I am a mutant." David said quickly and nervously."
Kathleen's jaw dropped, and a gasp escaped her lips. Rachel's expression turned to one of pure joy, yet Rebecca said nothing. Instead, she just got up, and abruptly left the room. David's nervous expression quickly changed to that of a saddened one, after seeing his sister walk away from him. It broke Jubilees heart to see the expression on his face. They were clearly a very close family, and it reminded her of her own parents and how they had abandoned her when her powers had surfaced.
"You're a... a... Mutant?" Kathleen asked. "How do you know?"
David then proceeded to recount the events of the previous night, which included the beer bottle, the fight, the broken nose, and everything else, even up to Jubilee bringing him home and sleeping in his bed.
"Is something wrong mom? Becca was bad enough. I don't think I could take losing you as well." David asked softly.
"No, no I'm sorry, this is just a lot to process. And don't worry you didn't lose Becca. She will come around. She just didn't know how else to handle the situation. Speaking of which, how are you handling this so well?" Kathleen asked her only son.
"Well I don't really have much of a choice, but to accept it. It's not like it can be changed, and even if it could, I honestly don't think I would want to change it."
"This is so cool; you're like a super hero now!" Rachel nearly screamed in her excitement. "Are you a mutant too?" She then asked Jubilee.
"Rachel!" Said Kathleen. "It's impolite to ask a question like that."
"No, it's fine Ms. Alexander." Said Jubilee, who then turned to the young girl. "To answer your question sweetie, yes I am a mutant as well as your big brother."
"That's so cool!" Said Rachel. "What are your powers?"
"You don't have to answer that Jubilee." Said Kathleen, clearly embarrassed.
"It's ok, I really don't mind. I have had a lot more time to deal with being a mutant than your son. You see many mutants' powers manifested much earlier than David's did. I wasn't much older than Rebecca when my powers made their appearance. Now as far as what my powers are, I can form pyrotechnical pulses in my hands. I can then shoot these pulses wherever I want them to go, and then they detonate upon impact."
"Wow." said David. "I was actually wondering that myself. It seems that with everything else going on, I completely forgot to ask."
"It's understandable. You had your own problems to keep your mind preoccupied."
"Still do." Said David.
"Like what?" Asked Kathleen.
"Well for one, I gotta talk to Becca. Two, I need to figure out where I'm going to go. And for three-." David began to go through the list, but was then abruptly cut off.
"What do you mean, where you are going to go?" Kathleen asked, afraid of the answer.
"Mom, we have both seen the news. Between the government having been unsure on their stance on mutants, and the extremist radical groups rounding up mutants, experimenting on them, and attacking them and their families, I can't stay here. I won't put you or the girls in that kind of danger."
"You can't just leave! What about us!? What about school!?" Kathleen asked, as tears began to fill her eyes, and a crying Rachel jumped into her brother's arms.
"This is probably not the best time, but if I may interject? I go to a school for mutants. I'm sure they would have no problem accepting a new student." Jubilee said, to try and alleviate the sadness in the room.
"I've never heard of such a thing. Where is this school?" Asked Kathleen
"New York." Said Jubilee. "It's a little far, but David would be surrounded by people such as himself, who could help him to understand and control his mutation. Along with the help that he would receive, they would also allow time off under many different circumstances, to visit family. Not to mention, there's also winter break, spring break, summer vacation and holidays. The school is also has dorm rooms, and has the best security, outside of the pentagon itself. David would be safe there, and I'm sure it would ease his mind knowing that you were removed from danger."
"Not to be a glass half empty kind of person, but all that sounds a little too good to be true, and also very expensive." Said Kathleen, trying not to sound too defeated.
"Yeah it sounds great." David jumped in. "But we could never afford something like that."
"Just take some time for yourselves, and think it over. I am going to step outside and call my headmaster to see what we can work out. No decisions have to be made today." said Jubilee.
"Ok, thank you so much for everything you have done for my son Jubilee. He is lucky to have met someone like you." Said a grateful Kathleen.
Jubilee gave her a warm smile, and walked out of the house. "Professor Xavier." Jubilee began to communicate with him through the use of the psychic link that he shared with his students.
"Ah Jubilation." Came a thick, rich reply. "How is Ohio treating you child?"
"Better than a mutant I came across last night. Are you busy this afternoon?"
"My dear girl, I am never too busy for one of my students, or a young mutant in need. However, may I ask what this is regarding?"
"Can you just read my mind? There's a lot to tell."
"I see." Charles said after a few moments. "I do believe that we can work out some sort of arrangement for your new friend. I will gather Logan and Scott, and we shall be there in roughly four hours."
"Thank you Professor, you are the greatest!"
"Anytime Jubilee. I shall see you soon."
Jubilee then walked back into the house in time to see David holding his mother's hand with one hand, while his other arm was wrapped around Rachel. Tears began to fill her eyes as she remembered her own parents reaction, and how she wished it had gone this well. She stood in the doorway in silence, and just watched them for a few moments until the sound of her getting choked up alerted them to her presence.
"Jubilee is something wrong?" Asked a concerned Kathleen.
"Not at all, it's just very nice to see how close your family is. It's a rare quality." Said Jubilee.
"Family has always been very important to us." Said David "I don't mean to change the subject, but how did your talk with your principal go?"
"It went very well. In fact he is coming here to meet you."
"What?" David asked, choking back the orange juice he had nearly spit out. "He's coming today. That's kind of short notice."
"That's just how he is. He is always excited to meet potential recruits, and will answer any questions that you have when he arrives in about four hours." Said an excited Jubilee.
"Ok, that's not much time. Jubilee can you take me to pick up my car?"
"Sure whenever you are ready." She replied.
"I just gotta shower and change my clothes, and then we can go."
"I'll be right here waiting."
Forty five minutes later, and they had arrived at Kevin's house. David entered through the garage and into the house without any hesitation on his part.
"You just walk right into your friend's house without knocking?" Jubilee asked.
"Good morning Carol. Dave? Where is Kevin hiding?" Josh asked, upon seeing Kevin's parents in the kitchen.
"Him and Todd are down in the basement, probably still sleeping if you ask me. We thought you would be here as well."
"Yeah, I was going to, but the night had other plans for me. I'm going to go wake them up. I'll see you guys later."
"Bye David."
"This is like my second family. I remember having sleepovers here when I was as young as eight years." David explained to Jubilee.
"I can see that." She replied.
"Wake up you lazy assholes!" David yelled, flipping on the lights in the basement.
"What the hell man! It's way too early." Kevin said, putting his pillow over his head.
"It's nearly noon." David replied laughing at the laziness of his friend.
Kevin threw his pillow across the room, hitting a sleeping Todd and succeeding in jarring him awake. After a few moments, he finally got up and walked over to David.
"So are you going to tell us what happened last night, or am I going to have to beat it out of you?" Asked Todd
"I wouldn't want that." David said throwing his hands up in mock surrender. "I guess I don't have much of a choice."
David recalled the events of the night that they missed, and everything that had occurred with his family that very morning. He then nervously waited for a response.
"So you're a mutant? Is that how your face is completely fine, and not even with a single bruise?" Kevin then asked, surprisingly acting as if nothing had changed at all.
"I forgot all about that. Your right, it's not even the least bit sore." David said, squeezing the bridge of his nose. "Wait, you guys are ok with this?" He then asked relieved.
"Of course man! You're still the same person. We have been friends for far too long to let something like that come between us." Kevin told his clearly worried friend.
"Speak for yourself." Todd then said, balling his hands into fists at his side. "I refuse to be friends with any mutie freak!" He yelled, punching David in the face and making him stumble a few steps back. Kevin then grabbed Todd, preventing him from unleashing any further attacks.
"Todd." David said regaining his balance. "I am going to let that one slide given our past history, but that will be the last time you put your hands on me, or refer to us as freaks."
"Us!? She's one too?" Todd said, disgust laced in his tone.
"What the hell is wrong with you man!? You're better than this. What would your mom think if she saw that? She loves Dave, and she raised you better than that." Kevin half asked and half stated. "You need to go cool off and get your head together man."
"No, you stay, I'm going to go. I'm kinda rushed as it is. I only came to get my car, and fill you in on everything. I'll call you later." Said David, while rubbing his jaw.
"Alright man, be careful, it's dangerous out there for you now." Kevin said, before handing his friend his car keys.
"I will. Oh and Todd, we are going to work this out. Even if I have to beat some sense into you." David said before turning to leave. "Kevin thanks for being a good friend."
David then drove back home, followed by Jubilee. They arrived shortly after twelve, giving David plenty of time to patch things up with Rebecca. Or so he thought as he searched the house all over for her with no luck.
He then decided to get back into his car, and comb the neighborhood looking for her. He searched all her known favorite spots such as the park, the library, and her school. He even knocked on the doors of some of her friends' homes, in hopes of finding her. The search procured no results, and he went back home hoping that maybe she had returned.
He returned home at two thirty and asked his frantic mother if Rebecca had showed up or even called. It was another dead end. The doorbell then rang shortly after, and David answered, expecting it to be the headmaster of Jubilee's school. Instead in the doorway stood two MRD agents carrying an unconscious Rebecca.
"Oh my god Rebecca! What have you two done to my sister!? I swear if you hurt her I'll-..."
"Relax son, I assure you that she is fine. In fact she called us. She's merely unconscious, and will awaken soon. You must be David? She's told us so much about you over the phone, and about how you attacked two boys last night."
"I don't know why you are here, but I highly suggest you leave." David bravely stated, although truthfully, he was feeling quite uneasy with the two men in MRD uniforms and who also happened to be carrying pistols at their waists.
"We are here to protect humans from freaks such as you." The second of the two officers said while pulling out a pair of handcuffs. "Now make this easy on yourself, and come with us."
"I'm not going anywhere with you easily. You better be prepared to use those side arms, because you're going to need them."
"David? Who's there?" Asked Kathleen, at the most unfortunate of moments. David calmly picked up his sister from where she was placed by the MRD officer, and handed her to his mother.
"Mom take Becca, and go to your bedroom. Grab Jubilee on your way." He stated in a tone that left no room for argument.
Kathleen took her daughter with a look of fear in her eyes, but said nothing else as she headed towards the kitchen to retrieve Jubilee.
"Now where were we?" Said the first officer as he reached for his pistol.
"Bad move bub." Said a gruff voice from behind the two men, which was soon followed by a terrifying snikt sound, that sounded like a blade being unsheathed.
The two officers turned around to see the person who dared to interrupt them. As soon as they began advancing on the large man, a bright red flash of light appeared from the side of them, knocking them both clear across the yard where they fell to the ground, knocked out.
"You got guts kid." Stated the large man who David now had a better view of.
"Not to sound ungrateful or anything, but do you mind telling me who you are." David asked, still on edge.
"Perhaps I can answer that." Came what had to have been the most soothing voice Josh had ever heard. "This is Logan, the man to my right here is named Scott Summers, and my name is Professor Charles Xavier. I believe you have been expecting us."